Setting a beautiful table

The ugly truth is that I don't usually set a pretty table unless I have company coming over but I really do love getting creative with it when I do!
Sometimes I keep it really simple so you notice things like a pretty tablecloth or the beautiful flowers.
When I'm serving seafood, I like to have a beach theme table!

A dinner in the garden with lots of lace!   Who says you have to use plastic and

Show and Tell Friday

Happy Show and Tell Friday!  Today I'm sharing some of my plates that I have hanging all along the ceiling of my kitchen.  It took me awhile to collect enough of these to go all the way around. In addition to the traditional transferware plates, I also have some souvenir plates.  I think I found both of these on eBay a few years ago.  One is from Boston and the other shows different covered

A little update

I've been MIA here on my blog quite a bit this summer and I've been giving it a lot of thought lately.  My life has changed a lot in 2010 and it's all been really good except for the fact that I've been neglecting my blog! 

I've had more fun in these 8 months of 2010 than I've had in the past five years!  I've started doing more things with my girlfriends, working out and trying the online

Seashell Wreath Giveaway!

I'm giving away my seashell wreath that I made! If you would like a chance to win, please leave a comment below before Friday, August 27 at midnight Pacific Time. This is open to U.S. and Canadian residents only due to shipping costs.  If you do not have a blog, please be sure to include your email address so I have a way to contact you!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Online dating update:  My 2nd date with Mr.

Show and Tell Friday

It's Show and Tell Friday again! I've been really busy so I sort of took a little blogging break this week!
I have good news on the online dating thing. I finally have a second date with someone that I really liked (the guy on the white horse for those of you following along on Facebook). It's been almost a month since our first date and I had given up on him and then out-of-the-blue got a

Beautiful Handmade Soaps for me and you!

One of my blog readers, Dalene, sent me these gorgeous soaps that she makes!The detail on them is just amazing!
She sent me so many so I'm going to share with one of you!
Please leave a comment before Saturday, August 21st a midnight if you would like to be entered to win!  I will choose a winner this Sunday, August 22nd! This is for U.S. and Canada residents only because of shipping costs. 

BlogHer $100 Question

Would you like a chance to win $100? If so, hop on over to BlogHer and answer my question!  Click here to enter!

(Scroll down below for Show and Tell Friday!)

Show and Tell Friday!

Welcome to another Show and Tell Friday!  I'm sharing my dining room chandelier today.  I bought this at a garage sale a few years ago for about $25 or $30 dollars. I had to rewire it but it was worth it!It's not a really old one, I think it's from the 1970s.

During the holidays I enjoy decorating it with greenery...

If you are joining in on Show and Tell Friday, please remember that your Show

My Camera

I often get asked what type of camera I use so since it's been awhile since I blogged about it I thought I would share this info again.  I have a Canon Rebel XSi.  I bought mine online through QVC so I could spread the payments out over 4 months.  I've had mine a few years now and have used it so much and I'm still thrilled with the quality of the photos!  It was well worth the money I spent on

Fruit Tart & Happy Birthday Dad!

I'm reposting one of my favorite summer desserts today!  It's a fruit tart that is so yummy and so easy to make.  It always gets rave reviews and that's before they even taste it!!!  Trust me though, it tastes as good as it looks!The recipe is from Paula Deen  Click here !
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Yesterday was my dad's birthday!  He reads my blog (and all the comments you leave) every day so can you

Show and Tell Friday!

Yesterday I received a package in the mail from my dear mom. Inside was this beautiful and very old cameo.My mom's sister received this cameo from a neighbor when my mom was about 14 years old.  Her sister didn't want it so she gave it t my mom.  My mom has kept it all these years and has now passed it on to me. 
Thank you mom! I love it!!!
It has a crack in it but it doesn't take away from the

One and two years ago, this month...

 
One of the great things about blogging for so many years (over 5 now) is that it's fun to go back and look what I was doing in the past. It's so wonderful to have so much of my life documented here!  I started wondering what I was doing this time last year and then that got me wondering what I was doing in August of 2008!  I went back through my archives and found this photo above.  This was

My life now

I know some of you only come here for decorating inspiration and if so you may not want to read any further. My blog has never really been just about decorating...I've tried to add a little more personal touch to it but I know this drives some people crazy! Please don't leave me grumpy comments about what I should or shouldn't blog about... 
Thank you all so much for the feedback on possibly

Thoughts of decluttering

I almost did something really drastic this weekend but I decided to think about it a little more first.  I think it's always a good idea to run drastic decisions by my friends (that's you).

I never thought the day would come but I'm getting tired of the "clutter" in my apartment.  I was so close to listing my hutch on craigslist this weekend...the only reason I didn't is that I don't have a